Air Quality Supersite Researcher - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Air Quality Supersite Researcher - 81874
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £27,025 to £29,515, with potential progression once in post to £33,199./
Grade 6
Full time/FTC up to 31st March 2022
Closing date: 11th September 2019

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated researcher (senior technician) to operate the newly commissioned Birmingham Air Quality Supersite (BAQS), and contribute to the analysis of measurement data.

Through the NERC research project Integrated Research Observation System for Clean Air, the Universities of Birmingham, Manchester and Kings College London have established new Air Quality Supersites, containing a range of state-of-the-science instruments to measure gaseous and particulate air pollutants and associated meteorological parameters. Instruments at BAQS include conventional gas monitors (NOx, O3, SO2, CO, CO2 etc), aerosol mass spectrometer (ACSM), aethalometer, SMPS and other PM instruments and meteorological measurements.

Main duties

The researcher will work within a large group of technical staff, PhD students and research fellows contributing to a range of related projects involving air pollution and atmospheric chemistry, notably including WM-Air, the West Midlands Air Pollution project, which delivers clean air science in support of regional policies to improve air quality and health. They will also have a small involvement with air quality monitoring at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) FACE facility in Staffordshire. For further information please see:

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/environmental-health/areas/atmospheric/index.aspx

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2019/06/air-quality-research-supersite-launched.aspx

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/bifor/index.aspx

• Operation of the measurement instruments (including calibration, maintenance, trouble-shooting and liaison with external suppliers / external service support as appropriate)
• Monitoring & interpretation of the observed pollution levels to both sense check the data, and update external partners as appropriate
• Processing and quality control of the measurements, and ensuring data are fed through to the project websites and repository
• Contributing to science analysis of the measurements, to identify trends in air pollutants, analysis of pollution episodes, responses to new local/national policies, and to quantify known and emerging pollution sources.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have a good degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) area, or equivalent qualifications, with good time management, interpersonal and communication skills. Experience in the operation of relevant laboratory or field measurement equipment is required; experience with air pollution measurements and in the (spreadsheet) analysis of numerical data is desirable.

Required:

• Experience in the use of relevant instruments for laboratory or field environmental measurements
• An enthusiastic and committed approach to environmental science measurements
• Good degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) area, or equivalent qualifications
• Able to manage time and prioritise tasks independently
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Competent in spreadsheet analyses of numerical data
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully

Desirable:

• Experience with air pollution measurements and data

We expect interviews will be held on Friday 4th October. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Prof William Bloss ( w.j.bloss@bham.ac.uk ) or Dr Louisa Kramer ( l.kramer@bham.ac.uk ). All applications should include a full CV and covering letter.

Equal Opportunities: The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences is an equal opportunities employer and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award. Female and BME staff are under-represented in the School and so we particularly value applications from such candidates. The School is happy to consider applications from candidates looking for flexible part time / job share arrangements as part of the appointment.

The School's Equality & Diversity / Athena SWAN lead, Peter Kraftl ( p.kraftl@bham.ac.uk ) is available to discuss equal opportunities policies and initiatives, also outlined at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/about/athena-swan.aspx

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community'

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